Dear Crabby, do you have advice for the fiscal cliff?

I am very concerned about this fiscal cliff and the future of my family. Do you have any advice for how I should handle things in the coming year?

Sincerely,

Spen Ditall

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Dear Spen,

I too have heard some rumblings about this fiscal cliff. It sounds like some tax breaks will expire, and some unemployment and welfare handouts will be discontinued.

Although the Republicans like to blame the Democrats and vice versa, I'm sure our government will not just sit back and watch the country fall apart. My bigger concern is why so many Americans will be devastated by this?

If most Americans had zero credit card or student loan debts, and at least 3 months living expenses in the bank, then there would not be so much concern over a few tax changes. I still see "Help Wanted" signs all over the place and yet I read that millions of Americans are without a job.

As difficult as the last few years have been, this was nothing compared to the Great Depression! There were no "Help Wanted" signs, no free government handouts, and no alternatives to poverty at every turn. My father and grandfather spoke often of what they went through. I remember when I used to get paid hourly wages. There were some guys that barely made it till Friday to get their next check.

Then, there were some who didn't even look at their checks because they were months ahead on their bills. If our overtime was cut, the second group of guys didn't mind so much; they would just enjoy those weekends away from work with their families. That first group, however, became irate and would almost become an angry mob.

You see, none of us are guaranteed the next paycheck; we should all be responsible to put away something for a rainy day.

So Fiscal Cliff or not, I say that you should look at your family's future and protect them where you can. Good luck, and let me know how it turns out!

Sincerely, Dear Crabby

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